Today the second edition of Inkwell Editorial's recently relaunched newsletter, How to Start a Successful Freelance Career, was published.
In this issue, I interviewed Clark Covington who is a successful internet entreprenuer and founder of Internet Research Associates, a firm that hires freelance writers, editors, etc. He tells us how he went about it achieving his success, among other things.
IE, what employers look for in freelancers.
EXCERPT
1. What prompted you to start your company, Internet Research Associates (IRA)? I was moonlighting as a freelance writer while teaching college Speech and English classes. After several frustrating years of adjunct pay with no benefits with little opportunity for advancement, I started IRA.
3. What types of clients use your services? Everyone from real estate agents to e-commerce storeowners utilize our services.
Click here for instructions on how to subscribe and read the entire interview.
Read the first issue here. We speak with one freelancer who earned $10,000 in one year from one source alone, launching her freeance career full-time!
My mission with the newsletter is to inspire you to pursue your freelance dreams. However, not in a vaccuum. But, by dispensing first-hand information from those who have been where you want to be.
Editorially yours,
Yuwanda Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com
P.S.: Inkwell Editorial Ebooks, Seminars & More
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Want to start a profitable career as a freelance writer? Our work-from-home ebooks contain all the information you need to get started right way! Log on to order. It's fast, simple, safe and secure.
FREE Ebook on Article Marketing: If you write and distribute free content, learn how to increase your income via this free e-book. Full details.
Freelance Writing Seminar: Employers tell exactly what they're looking for in freelancers -- and more! Get the details here.
Gain clients, web traffic and brand awareness. How? Let us interview you for our popular newsletter? Full details. Read the first issue here.
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Copyright Notice: May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com.
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Showing posts with label work-from-home advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work-from-home advice. Show all posts
Thursday, June 21, 2007
From $0 to 600K in two years -- Interview with Internet Entrepreneur Clark Covington
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Start a Successful Freelance Writing Career
I did it -- I finished! The e-books I've been promising to re-list on InkwellEditorial.com have all been officially revised and uploaded. I may look like the guy pictured here, but I don't care -- I finally got it done -- woooohooooo!
FYI, in the e-book Advice from Successful Freelancers: How They Built Their Careers & How You Can Too!, which I wrote in 2004, all of the freelancers interviewed then are still in business. This was inspiring and lets me know that others can learn a lot from their success. Read an excerpt here.
OTHER TITLES:
How to Really Make a Living as an Editorial Freelancer
How to Get Your Biz on the Web Quickly & Affordably: An Easy-to-Follow Guide in Plain English for Those New to Internet Terminology & Web Technology
How to Break Into Medical Editing/Copyediting
NEW -- Recently Published! Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Article Marketing: Results of a 30 Day Article Marketing Experiment
NEW -- Recently Published! 7 Ways a Freelance Writer Can Expand Your Profits – No Matter What Your Business Is! [FREE giveaway to potential clients, subscribers, seminar attendees, etc.]
And more! Click here to access the full list and to read detailed excerpts.
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P.S.: There are some combination deals that save you 50-70%.
P.P.S.: All e-books are written from first-hand experience, or are told from first-hand accounts. So, you get concrete advice straight from those who have been where you are -- and are now where you want to be.
Log on to order. It's fast, simple, safe and secure.
NOTE: All e-books are delivered as .pdf files within 24 hours of purchasing (excluding weekends), usually much less.
OTHER TITLES:
How to Really Make a Living as an Editorial Freelancer
How to Get Your Biz on the Web Quickly & Affordably: An Easy-to-Follow Guide in Plain English for Those New to Internet Terminology & Web Technology
How to Break Into Medical Editing/Copyediting
NEW -- Recently Published! Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Article Marketing: Results of a 30 Day Article Marketing Experiment
NEW -- Recently Published! 7 Ways a Freelance Writer Can Expand Your Profits – No Matter What Your Business Is! [FREE giveaway to potential clients, subscribers, seminar attendees, etc.]
And more! Click here to access the full list and to read detailed excerpts.
*************************************
P.S.: There are some combination deals that save you 50-70%.
P.P.S.: All e-books are written from first-hand experience, or are told from first-hand accounts. So, you get concrete advice straight from those who have been where you are -- and are now where you want to be.
Log on to order. It's fast, simple, safe and secure.
NOTE: All e-books are delivered as .pdf files within 24 hours of purchasing (excluding weekends), usually much less.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Why is There so Much Bad Writing on the Web?
. . . And What Can Be Done About It
I owe readers of my work a big apology. Why? Because I've contributed to bad writing on the web. Now I know, to a certain degree, why this is - and what can be done about it.
If you regularly submit content to the web - whether it's for your blog, an e-zine, a newsletter, website copy, etc. - read and heed!
POST CONTINUED BELOW
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WORK-FROM-HOME E-BOOKS: Freelance from home! Inkwell Editorial's work-from-home, how-to freelance writing e-books have all been updated -- finally! They'll be uploaded later today. Thanks for your patience. Stay tuned!
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WORK-FROM-HOME E-BOOKS: Freelance from home! Inkwell Editorial's work-from-home, how-to freelance writing e-books have all been updated -- finally! They'll be uploaded later today. Thanks for your patience. Stay tuned!
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Why Is There So Much Bad Writing on the Web: Reason #1
Volume: In the last year and a half, 25-30% of my workload has become web copy. I also have a blog, a website and a newsletter - all of which require regular updates.
In short, I turn out a huge volume of text on a regular basis; it's not unusual for me to write between 3,000 and 6,000 words a day. In terms of articles, that's the equivalent of 10, 600-word articles a day.
This can take 10, 12 or 13 hours. In between, there's research, fact checking, interviews, formatting, etc., to be done.
So, what gets pushed back? What we in the publishing industry used to call QC (quality checking). This is the editing, proofreading and rewriting.
Because the web is in "real time," freelance writers are almost forced to respond in real time. There's a constant need to update content, respond to content, produce new content, etc. Again, what gets pushed to the side - copyediting, editing and proofreading.
While this is certainly no excuse, the amount of time spent on copy has a direct bearing on a freelance writer's income, which brings me to my next point - balancing time to make money.
Why Is There So Much Bad Writing on the Web: Reason #2
Money: As any freelance writer will tell you, time literally is money. Because our income is directly related to how much copy we can produce, edit, rewrite, etc., we have to maximize it to the fullest.
The writing has to get done. The interviews have to be conducted. The web pages have to be updated. What can usually slide? The copyediting, editing and proofreading.
Why IsThere So Much Bad Writing on the Web: Reason #3
Laziness: Yep, I'm going to put this right out there - plain old laziness. Many times, as freelance writers, we're just ready to get a piece off our desk. We get tired of looking at it, tired of the concept and tired of trying to make it "just right."
So, we publish it without doing a final proof, a final edit, a final rewrite.
And, while there is certainly a time when you should "let a piece go," it should never be before the quality check is complete.
Solution to Bad Writing on the Web
There's only one way to stop this - and that is to get back to good old-fashioned copyediting and proofreading.
And, while spell check is a great tool - it can't read your mind. That's why "write" for "right" will get through.
So, to readers of my work - who I value and respect immensely - my promise to you is that my work will get better. While I can't promise to never write another piece without errors, I do promise that the quality of what I put out will go up - markedly - from here on out.
Now, I'm off to proofread this before I hit "Publish."
Coming Monday: Monday will be wrap-up day. What do I mean? On 4/02, I posted about an Editor-in-Chief's job offer I received. I've made a decision on that.
AND, for my post on 4/26, Lillie Amman awarded me The Thinking Blogger's Award (yeah!). So, I have to tag five other bloggers whom I think deserve this award.
Have a good weekend,
Yuwanda Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com
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Copyright Notice: May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com.
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Like what you read here? Find the content useful and informative? Subscribe to the Inkwell Editorial feed (under the LINKS section to your right) to receive new content immediately upon publishing.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
How to Organize Your Day to Become a Successful Freelance Writer
$1,000/Week is Very Possible Putting the Following into Motion
Freelancing is all about managing time. With over 14+ years of experience as a freelancer, there are still things I learn on a regular basis to increase my income.
If you want to become a successful freelance writer, you have to first begin by organizing your day to make it happen. If you focus on organizing one day, then follow that plan for three weeks to make it a habit, you'll have no problem achieving success in this field.
NOTE: Most experts agree that for something to become a habit, you should do it for at least three weeks - continuously - before it will stick.
POST CONTINUED BELOW
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WORK-FROM-HOME E-BOOKS: Freelance from home! Just a reminder, Inkwell Editorial's work-from-home, how-to freelance writing e-books will be back on InkwellEditorial.com this weekend.****************************
1. Block Out Hours for a 10-hour Workday: I know, I know, this is not popular, but for the first year or so, you are going to have to put in 9 or 10 hours a day (sometimes more) to make it happen. So, just get used to it.
People wonder how I do all that I do and the my answer always is organization and willpower. I know what I want and am not afraid to work hard to get it. So, 10 hours - wrap your brain around it and move on.
2. Create a Marketing Plan: A marketing plan is like your map to success. Without it, you will be like a dog chasing its tail - going around and around in circles making no progress at all.
Of course, creating a marketing plan means deciding what type of writing you want to do, who your target market is, how you will reach them, how much it's going to cost you, what your pricing schedule is, etc.
This doesn't have to be fancy, and it doesn't have to cost a bundle - but it is a must. Remember, marketing is a numbers game. If send out 50 mailers a week, that's 200 hundred a month. A 1-3% return will bring in 2-6 prospects.
If you close half of these, that's 1-3 new clients a month. When you look at the numbers like this, it's really not so hard, is it?
Build up your client list to 25 or 30, and you should stay fairly busy.
3. Create a Realistic Pricing Schedule: Many freelancers work for peanuts. Hey, I still do sometimes. But, it all depends on my goal. I have an income goal that I set each month. If I feel like I'm falling behind that, you betcha I take on low-paying projects.
Stipulations for Low-Paying Projects
I don't do it on a regular basis and I have certain stipulations that must be met (eg, is this going to be a repeat client, a bottom line (I do have a rock-bottom minimum), what the project is, how long it's going to take, etc.
Industry Wage Minimum
I've given up on this market having a stable industry norm, as discussed in my 11/7/06 post, Should Freelance Writers Have a Minimum Wage?
Some writers are going to rail that you're low-balling; some clients are going to say that you're too high. I say create a pricing schedule that works for you. As discussed in 2/8/07 post, Are You a High Stakes or Low Balling Freelance Writer?, only you can decide what "price" is right for you.
4. Diversify Your Income Streams: As I said in my 1/31/07 post, How to Make $100/Day as a Freelance Writer, "Choosing two or three different types of writing you can do well. For example, you might do resumes, articles and web copy."
Also, create your own products to sell, eg, e-books; use write-for-pay sites like AssociatedContent.com; and/or set up a website on sites like CafePress.com to sell t-shirts, mugs, etc.
Diversifying your income streams means that when projects dry up, you're not left out in the cold.
5. Market, Market, Market: While this point could fall under Tip #2, I wanted to write it as a stand alone - last.
Make it your business to get out a certain number of marketing messages a week. Whether this means mailing out 100 postcards, sending out 200 emails or, attending two networking events and passing out 20 brochures.
You can't get business unless you get in front of prospects. Staying home, surfing the net, lamenting about why no business is coming in will not make you successful.
For the first year at least, you're going to have to work your butt off to get business in the door.
If you want to become a successful freelance writer, you have to first begin by organizing your day to make it happen. If you focus on organizing one day, then follow that plan for three weeks to make it a habit, you'll have no problem achieving success in this field.
NOTE: Most experts agree that for something to become a habit, you should do it for at least three weeks - continuously - before it will stick.
POST CONTINUED BELOW
****************************
WORK-FROM-HOME E-BOOKS: Freelance from home! Just a reminder, Inkwell Editorial's work-from-home, how-to freelance writing e-books will be back on InkwellEditorial.com this weekend.****************************
1. Block Out Hours for a 10-hour Workday: I know, I know, this is not popular, but for the first year or so, you are going to have to put in 9 or 10 hours a day (sometimes more) to make it happen. So, just get used to it.
People wonder how I do all that I do and the my answer always is organization and willpower. I know what I want and am not afraid to work hard to get it. So, 10 hours - wrap your brain around it and move on.
2. Create a Marketing Plan: A marketing plan is like your map to success. Without it, you will be like a dog chasing its tail - going around and around in circles making no progress at all.
Of course, creating a marketing plan means deciding what type of writing you want to do, who your target market is, how you will reach them, how much it's going to cost you, what your pricing schedule is, etc.
This doesn't have to be fancy, and it doesn't have to cost a bundle - but it is a must. Remember, marketing is a numbers game. If send out 50 mailers a week, that's 200 hundred a month. A 1-3% return will bring in 2-6 prospects.
If you close half of these, that's 1-3 new clients a month. When you look at the numbers like this, it's really not so hard, is it?
Build up your client list to 25 or 30, and you should stay fairly busy.
3. Create a Realistic Pricing Schedule: Many freelancers work for peanuts. Hey, I still do sometimes. But, it all depends on my goal. I have an income goal that I set each month. If I feel like I'm falling behind that, you betcha I take on low-paying projects.
Stipulations for Low-Paying Projects
I don't do it on a regular basis and I have certain stipulations that must be met (eg, is this going to be a repeat client, a bottom line (I do have a rock-bottom minimum), what the project is, how long it's going to take, etc.
Industry Wage Minimum
I've given up on this market having a stable industry norm, as discussed in my 11/7/06 post, Should Freelance Writers Have a Minimum Wage?
Some writers are going to rail that you're low-balling; some clients are going to say that you're too high. I say create a pricing schedule that works for you. As discussed in 2/8/07 post, Are You a High Stakes or Low Balling Freelance Writer?, only you can decide what "price" is right for you.
4. Diversify Your Income Streams: As I said in my 1/31/07 post, How to Make $100/Day as a Freelance Writer, "Choosing two or three different types of writing you can do well. For example, you might do resumes, articles and web copy."
Also, create your own products to sell, eg, e-books; use write-for-pay sites like AssociatedContent.com; and/or set up a website on sites like CafePress.com to sell t-shirts, mugs, etc.
Diversifying your income streams means that when projects dry up, you're not left out in the cold.
5. Market, Market, Market: While this point could fall under Tip #2, I wanted to write it as a stand alone - last.
Make it your business to get out a certain number of marketing messages a week. Whether this means mailing out 100 postcards, sending out 200 emails or, attending two networking events and passing out 20 brochures.
You can't get business unless you get in front of prospects. Staying home, surfing the net, lamenting about why no business is coming in will not make you successful.
For the first year at least, you're going to have to work your butt off to get business in the door.
If you want to make a bonified living as a freelancer, get in front of repeat-paying clients. This only happens by consistently - I repeat, consistently - marketing.
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Copyright Notice: May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com.
*************************
Like what you read here? Find the content useful and informative? Subscribe to the Inkwell Editorial feed (under the LINKS section to your right) to receive new content immediately upon publishing.
************************
Copyright Notice: May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com.
*************************
Like what you read here? Find the content useful and informative? Subscribe to the Inkwell Editorial feed (under the LINKS section to your right) to receive new content immediately upon publishing.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
One Immediate Way to Increase Your Freelance Income by Up to 50%
How “Template Writing” can help you become a prolific income producer
When I first started writing outside of my niche – the business of creative freelancing – it took me some time to get the hang of things. I read other freelancer’s articles on certain subjects, eg, restaurant and product reviews, to see how it was done.
It took me some time to get a system down, but once I did, I was able to turn out a review or article in half the time. So, how did I speed it up? I created a “genre template.”
POST CONTINUED BELOW
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WORK-FROM-HOME E-BOOKS: Freelance from home! Just a reminder, Inkwell Editorial's work-from-home, how-to freelance writing e-books will be back on InkwellEditorial.com this weekend.
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WORK-FROM-HOME E-BOOKS: Freelance from home! Just a reminder, Inkwell Editorial's work-from-home, how-to freelance writing e-books will be back on InkwellEditorial.com this weekend.
****************************
What is Template Writing?
In short, formulaic writing. On FreeDictionary.com, template, as related to writing, is defined as "A document or file having a preset format, used as a starting point for a particular application so that the format does not have to be recreated each time it is used."
Example of a Writing Template
To use an easy example, take restaurant reviews. It’s a relatively new medium for me and one that I found tends to pay more than the other types of articles I like to write. So, I started to focus more on these.
My restaurant review template looks like this:
In short, formulaic writing. On FreeDictionary.com, template, as related to writing, is defined as "A document or file having a preset format, used as a starting point for a particular application so that the format does not have to be recreated each time it is used."
Example of a Writing Template
To use an easy example, take restaurant reviews. It’s a relatively new medium for me and one that I found tends to pay more than the other types of articles I like to write. So, I started to focus more on these.
My restaurant review template looks like this:
Intro: This includes things like background on the establishment, what I personally like about it, how I discovered it, etc.
The Food: Here, I discuss the menu selections, dishes I recommend and the drinks.
The Price: Usually, this is a few lines about the price (affordable, moderate, on the expensive side, gotta be rich and famous to afford to eat here). I may break it down by specific price for a few dishes (eg, appetizer, main course, dessert), or I may give an average cost of a meal for two.
The Service: Here I discuss how fast or slow the service is, if the staff is knowledgeable about the menu, do they easily allow for substitutions, and maybe the uniform.
Other Items of Note: This section highlights things of interest I think any first-time visitor might want to know. Eg, if the establishment has an outside seating area, music, dance floor, special nights for things like karaoke, menu specials, the parking situation (valet, not enough parking, etc.), banquet rooms, on/off-site catering, etc.
Summary: This is usually a one or two liner about the establishment. Eg, for a fun night out with your gang, Pepper’s is an easy-on-the-wallet rocking, good time!
My reviews may or may not include all of these sections; it depends on the establishment and my experience there.
BUT, having a template in front of me when I sit down to write seriously cuts down on the time it takes to organize/edit material, which, as any writer knows, can be more than half the time spent producing a piece.
A Note About Reviews: FYI, the crazy thing about reviews (product and restaurant) is that they are usually written in 400-500 words and, with a formula in place, can be completed in about 20 minutes (minus proofing and minor editing). Most of my articles take 30 minutes to slightly more than an hour to write (minus proofing and minor editing).
Creating a template for as many types of writing you do as possible can increase your output by 50% easily, ostensibly increasing your income by the same amount. So, go template happy – and watch your bank account increase.
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The Food: Here, I discuss the menu selections, dishes I recommend and the drinks.
The Price: Usually, this is a few lines about the price (affordable, moderate, on the expensive side, gotta be rich and famous to afford to eat here). I may break it down by specific price for a few dishes (eg, appetizer, main course, dessert), or I may give an average cost of a meal for two.
The Service: Here I discuss how fast or slow the service is, if the staff is knowledgeable about the menu, do they easily allow for substitutions, and maybe the uniform.
Other Items of Note: This section highlights things of interest I think any first-time visitor might want to know. Eg, if the establishment has an outside seating area, music, dance floor, special nights for things like karaoke, menu specials, the parking situation (valet, not enough parking, etc.), banquet rooms, on/off-site catering, etc.
Summary: This is usually a one or two liner about the establishment. Eg, for a fun night out with your gang, Pepper’s is an easy-on-the-wallet rocking, good time!
My reviews may or may not include all of these sections; it depends on the establishment and my experience there.
BUT, having a template in front of me when I sit down to write seriously cuts down on the time it takes to organize/edit material, which, as any writer knows, can be more than half the time spent producing a piece.
A Note About Reviews: FYI, the crazy thing about reviews (product and restaurant) is that they are usually written in 400-500 words and, with a formula in place, can be completed in about 20 minutes (minus proofing and minor editing). Most of my articles take 30 minutes to slightly more than an hour to write (minus proofing and minor editing).
Creating a template for as many types of writing you do as possible can increase your output by 50% easily, ostensibly increasing your income by the same amount. So, go template happy – and watch your bank account increase.
*************************
Copyright Notice: May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com to learn how.
*************************
Like what you read here? Find the content useful and informative? Subscribe to the Inkwell Editorial feed (under the LINKS section to your right) to receive new content immediately upon publishing. OR, email your address to subscribe and receive job listings -- immediately!
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